Shipping and storage container



Sept. 15, 1959 F. P. MITTEN SHIPPING AND STORAGE CONTAINER Filed May 21, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR. Fran/f P M/'f/en .L/mfguf/ Afforneys Sept. 15, 1959 F. P. MITTEN SHIPPING AND STORAGE CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 21, 195e f/G. a

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Sept. 15, 1959 F. P. M11-TEN SHIPPING AND STORAGE CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 21, 1956 INVEN TOR. BY Fran/f P M/'f/en A /fom @ys Sept. l5, 1959 F. P. MITTEN 2,904,382

SHIPPING AND STORAGE CONTAINER Filed May 21, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 27 I l La/ S//J 241/P i [-24 l I I I 5041i; -:jjf: 11;

1N VEN TOR. BY Fran/f PMM/@f7 @M224 Pa, @WW2 5,72

United States Patent @ddee 2,904,382 Patented Sept. 15, 1959 l SHIPPING AND STGRAGE CONTAINER Frank P. Mitten, Redlands, Calif.

Application May 21, 1956, Serial No. 586,292 s Claims. (c1. enz-261') This invention relates to containers y and has particular reference to a combined storage and display container or carton adapted for various articles, such as fonts of signmaking letters or the like. l

The carton, as the article will hereinafter be called, is provided with shelves and trays wherein or whereon the contents are stored and readily displayed by extending the trays from the carton. The carton `with its component shelves and trays is made ofycor'rugated paperboard or like inexpensive material, the parts being easily erected and assembled. In addition to its attractive display and storage features, the carton, by reason of its contained shelves and trays, is materially increased in strength, thereby cushioning the contents and preventing injury'to same during shipping and-handling of the carton. y

One object of the invention is to provide a carton with included shelves and trays, the several components of which are easily and conveniently assembled, erected and locked into position.

Another object is to provide a shelved carton with trays adapted to store and display a variety of articles, the shelves and trays increasing the strength of the box, cushioning the contents to prevent injury to the same during shipping and handling, and permitting the use ofa lighter weight corrugated board material in the manufacture of the composite carton.

Another object is to provide a composite storage and display carton having a plurality of shelves which are conveniently installed and then locked into position.

Another object is to provide a storage and display carton with shelves and trays, each tray andy its associated shelf having cooperating catch means to prevent-accidental removal of a tray from its shelf.

Another object is to provide a storage cabinet which permits of a neat, efficient and attractive display of the contents. l

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig. l is a plan View of the inside face of the carbonforming blank;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the front of the carton completely erected `and assembled with shelves and trays, portions being broken away to show internal structure;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section through the front portion of the assembled carton, a part of vone tray being shown in broken lines; i v

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section sembled carton;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a shelf-forming blank;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a completed shelf, showing the manner of making it;

Fig. 7 is a similar perspective View of a shelf also used with the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the tray used with the .present invention;

throughy the alsspecial form of 2 Fig'. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation of the rear end portion of the tray, showing details of the spring catch; and l Fig.I 1l is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the tay corner f Fig. l0.

The inside face of the carton blank is' illustrated in Fig. 1. The blank is formed of a single sheet of corrugated paper-board or like material die cut and p'unched to the configuration shown. The blank is scored to provide a bottom panel 1, top panel 2, side panels 3, 3, rear closure flaps 4, 4 and 5, 5, top reinforcing flap 6, shelflocking panels 7, 7, land front cover flap 8. Cover flap 8 is additionally provided with a tucking llap 9 and a finger hole 10. Each locking panel 7 is subdivided into a series of locking llaps 11 by parallel elongated notches 12, for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

The skeleton carton may be erected by the conventional roll-around method. For example, the bottom panel 1 and outer side panel 3 are folded along score lines 13 and 14 fiat against panel 2 and inner side panel 3, which brings the edges 15 and 16 of panels 1 and 3 together to define a seam which may be closed by means of gummed paper or reinforcing tape 16a (shown in Fig. 4). The collapsed carton is then opened into rectangular form in the usual way by pressure along the edges defined by score lines 13 and 14. Rear closure flaps 4, 4 and 5, 5 are then folded inwardly in the order named, along the score lines 17, 17 and 18, 18 to make the conventional end closure of the carton. Sealing may be accomplished by gluingV flaps 5, S to flaps 4, 4 to which they are in overlappingl juxtaposition. Top reinforcing panel 6 is now tucked inwardly by folding along score line 19 into juxtaposition with the underside of top panel 2 and preferably glued thereto, thus reinforcing the top panel. In this stage of erection, the carton is ready to receive its internal structural components, the locking panels 7 and their flaps 11 being still unfolded, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 2, the carton is adapted to be compartmented by a plurality of spaced parallel partitions or shelves 20. In Fig. 5 there is shown a shelf-forming blank of corrugated paper-board die-cut, score lined and notched to provide shelf panel plies 21 and 22, and shelf stitfeners and spacers 23 and 24. Shelf panel 21 is additionally provided with U-shaped cuts 25.

To'form a completed shelf, the aps 26 defined by U-cuts 2S are punched through downwardly and folded under panel 21 into juxtaposition with its underside. Spacer flaps 23 and 24 are folded upwardly along score lines 30 and 31, perpendicular to the panels 21 and 22. Panel 22 is then Ifolded around score line 27 into juxtaposition with the underside of panel 21 as shown in Fig. 6. The shelf panels 21 and 22 are then preferably glued together to Aform a two-ply shelf having stilfening and spacer ilaps 23 and 24. The recessed openings 28 in the upper ply 21 are adapted to cooperate with catch means on a tray to be described hereinafter.

In Fig. 7 `there is shown a modified form of shelf 29 which is used at the top and bottom of the carton, in the former instance serving to lfurther stiffen the top panel 2 of the carton and to provide a place for tuck flap 9 (Fig. 3). It `differs from the standard shelf 20 in that it is not provided with depending stiffener flaps 24. This shelf: 29 is made in the same manner as shelf 20 from a blank like that illustrated in Fig. 5, except that stiifener aps 24 are removed Iby cutting them olf along score lines 31.

The shelves as thus lformed are readily installed by inserting them individually into the carton progressively rupwardly in superposed relation. The lowermost shelf 29 siirst inserted, this lbeing the shelf illustrated in Fig. 7, with its spacer flaps disposed upwardly as seen in Fig.

4, and with the forward edge 33 of the shelf positioned in the front of the carton. Thereupon, the standard shelves 20 are similarly inserted, progressing upwardly to the uppermost level immediately below the top panel 2 of the carton, making certain that the forward folded edge 33 of each shelf is located at the front of the carton, with the recessed openings 28 facing upwardly. The series is terminated with the special shelf 29 which is overturned `before inserting same. As stated, this particular shelf thus provides additional stffening for the top of the carton.

It will be seen in Fig. 4 that the height of thespacer flaps 23 and 24 determines the generally uniform clearance between adjacent shelves. Since the shelves are of uniform width, it is obvious that both of the depending spacers 24 may not be disposed inwardly or outwardly of the upright spacers 23 of the lower adjoining shelf, for the reason that this would tend to constrain one or the other pair inwardly away from its vertical disposition, thereby obviating a smooth interior along the longitudinal side walls 3, 3. This would also promote partial collapse of the shelves due to inward folding of the interiorly disposed stiiener aps of any particular shelf. 'Ihese difficulties are avoided by making the shelves 20 and 29 slightly less in widthwise dimension than the interior of the carton, this difference being approximately the thickness of one shelf spacer flap. Thereby, theV shelves may be installed with the upright and depending flaps 23 and 24 in staggered relation with respect to one another. As shown in Fig. 4, the depending spacers 24 are disposed against the inner face of the right side wall, with upright spacers 23 being disposed inwardly of spacers- 24. The reverse arrangement is shown along the interior of the left side wall. This results in a closely juxtaposed relation between the upright and depending aps 23 and 24` and between the exteriorly disposed flaps and side wall 3, thereby presenting a relatively smooth surface, compactly strengthening the side walls 3, and internally stiffening the shelves 20 against collapse.

The shelves 2l) and 29 are now ready to Ibe locked into position. This is conveniently accomplished by means of the special locking panels 7 with their associated locking flaps 11. With the shelves fully inserted into the carton, the locking panels 7 are folded inwardly along score lines 32, the locking flaps 11 being swung into the spaces between the shelves, said shelves being accommodated in the aligned notches 12 between the locking aps 11. After such insertion, the locking flaps 11 are pressed gagement. A linger hole 10 in cover flap 8 facilitates opening it. The front edges of the carton around 1ts opening maybe additionally strengthened by means of an adherent reinforcing tape 37 or the like (Fig. 2).

As stated, the invention also comprehends the use of trays or drawers in the shelved carton. Trays, as illustrated, are used for storing and displaying fonts of threedimensional changeable letters and numerals of the pinon type, such as are used in making up signs and displays and a carton of the type shown may contain a complete kit of such letters.

Referring to Fig. 9, there is illustrated an inexpensive and convenient tray, generally designated as 39, for use in the shelved carton, made up of three plies of at rectangular corrugated paper-board 40. It has been found advantageous to additionally stiifen the composite tray 39 by means of a light gauge sheet metal strap 41 or the like, which is wrapped around the edges 38 of the tray as shown. This, however, is. not necessary as the plies 40 may be glued together and thereby stiffened sufliciently for most purposes. ered with-paper or fabric 42, to present an aesthetic con trasting background for items displayed thereon. Referring to Fig. 2, three-dimensional letters 43 of the pinon type are held on the tray by sticking their pins into. the` boards- 40 and readily displayed by sliding out the tray 39.

To prevent downward tilting of the tray in its open or extendedA position, a rectangular strip of wood 44 or the like is mounted atop the tray alongside its rear edge45-by glue or otherwise. Asshown in Fig. 3 wherein the tray, indicated by broken lines, is in extended ordisplay position, the wood strip impinges against the underside of the shelf 20 above it to prevent the fortightly against the spacer flaps 23 or 24 of the shelves and are held there by yfrictional engagement between the edges of the flaps and the shelves, the height of each flap being slightly more than the clearance Ibetween shelves. This provides a simple, inexpensive and positive means Ifor locking the shelves into place, for, the rear of the carton being closed, the shelves may. not be pulled out unless the locking iiaps 11 are first withdrawn and the locking panel 7 unfolded. Should it be desired to make the shelf installation permanent, the locking flaps 11 may be glued to the spacer aps 23 or 24 on either side wall 3.

vAn additional feature ofthe foregoing construction is that the locking panels 7 and flaps 11" serve as guides for the insertion of a drawer or tray into the shelf. As particularly illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 8, the shelves are somewhat shorter lengthwise than the interior of the carton, whereby their forward edges 33 terminate 4inwardly of the forward edges of the carton. This results in atapered portion 34- on the lockingpanel 7v where itoverlaps the spacers 23 and 24 of the shelf. The taper facilitates ready insertion of a tray or drawer.

The shelved carton may now be closed by folding lfront cover ap 8 upwardly around score line 35 intorabutment with the front of the carton, as may be seen in Fig. 3. Tucking flap 9V is.folded around score line\3.6 and tucked betweenupper stifener shelf member 29`and top panel stiffener panel 6, being held by-frictional'em ward' portion 46 0f the tray '39 from tilting downwardly about the fulcrum presented by leading edge 33 of the shelf,l 20. The tray 39 is slightly less in width than the exposedy surface of shelf 20, so that it slides smoothly in andout.

A particular feature of the tray is the provision of spring catches 48 adapted to cooperate with the recesses 28 near'V theY leading edge of the shelf 20 to prevent the tray from being removed inadvertently and from slipping out of the carton if the same is accidentally tilted, thereby precluding damage to the tray or its contents. While. two catches and recesses for each tray and shelf arev4 shown, spaced apart, a single catch and recess centrally disposed may be used instead.

Referring to Figs. l0 and 11, the spring catch 48 is shown as a generally V-shaped wire member. Its axis is disposed longitudinally of the tray 39 and is in alignment` with the cooperating recess 28 in the shelf 20, the closed end 51 of the spring extending forwardly of the tray. The intermediate leg portions 49 of the spring 48,l are disposedagainst the underside of the tray 39. The end leg portions 50 terminate upwardly in relatively sharp points, thus adapting them to be driven through the tray into the wood strip 44. The forward closed end-portion ortoe S1 of the spring is inclined downwardly away from the underside of the tray so that the normal interval between the underside of the tray and the toe 51 is greater than the depth of the recess 28of' shelf 20. Referring to Fig. 3, it will be seen that thespring catch 48 will not hinder the insertion of the tray which is slid onto the shelf 20. The spring toe 51. under normal circumstances will be biased upwardlyy from,l its-natural downwardly inclined position by the shelf 20 but if the tray 39- is withdrawn or slides out, the toe:51 ofspri`ng 48 willenter recess 28 and effectively prevent complete removal of the tray. The forward edge 52of the shelf recess 28-is strengthened and reinforced against wear and tear by the folded under cut-outflap26 in the shelf. Itis obvious that a leaftype spring may be employed for the same purpose, al-

The tray may also be covthough the spring as illustrated may be more cheaply and conveniently made.

There will be sufficient clearance between the underside of a tray and its associated shelf when the shelf is lifted, to permit the spring toe 5l to be pressed up- 5 wardly out of recess 28 to permit complete removal of the tray, if desired.

While there has `been described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention as designed for a specific purpose, various modications will be apparent to those skilled in the art within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A carton comprising four outer wall panels hingedly interconnected at their longitudinal edges to form an enclosed chamber rectangular in transverse cross-section, a plurality of spaced parallel partitions in said cham-ber, disclosed in spaced parallel relation to the top and bottom walls, and a pair of partition panels, `one of said panels being hingedly connected to each of a pair of 2() opposed side wall panels at one end of the carton, each of said panels having a plurality of parallel elongated notches extending transversely of said panel hinge from the panel end inwardly toward said hinge and forming a plurality of parallel flaps, said flaps being folded into said carton into overlapping relation to the interior faces of said opposite side walls and being adapted to receive edge portions of said partitions within their said notches to properly space and support said partitions.

2. A carton according to claim 1, wherein the terminal aps of each partition panel are provided with elongated recesses at the outer side thereof in coextending parallelism with the notches in said panel and adapted to hold a partition in juxtaposition to the interior surface of `its parallel adjacent carton wall in order to stiifen said wall.

3. A carton according to claim l, additionally com-` prising flaps hingedly connected to the outer wall panels at the other end of the carton and folded into overlapping relation transversely of the carton to provide a closure at said other end, thereby to lock the partitions into place within the carton.

4. A shelved carton comprising four wall panels hingedly interconnected at their longitudinal edges to form an enclosed chamber rectangular in transverse crosssection and defining a top, bottom and two side walls, at least one panel hingedly connected to fthe rear edge of one wall panel and folded -to form a transverse closure at one end of said carton, and a plurality of vertically spaced shelves disposed within the carton, each of said shelves the interior of the carton, said shelf llaps being disposed in staggered relation whereby along one side wall the depending llaps of one shelf are interpositioned between said one side wall and the upright iiaps of the next lower shelf, and along the other side wall the upright aps of said lower shelf are interpositioned between the said other side wall and the depending flaps of said one shelf. 5. A shelved carton according to claim 4, additionally comprising a shelf having upright aps and being dirsposed as the lower shelf in the carton in overlapping relaition to the bottom panel of said carton and serving to stitfen said bottom panel, and a similar shelf member, overturned so that its flaps extend downwardly, disposed above the uppermost tier of shelves in underlying relation to the top panel of (the carton whereby to stiffen said top panel.

6. A shelved carton according to claim 4, additionally comprising a pair of shelf locking panels, one of said locking panels being hingedly connected to the front edge of each side wall as an extension thereof, each of said locking panels having a plurality of elongated parallel notches longitudinally disposed and extending from the edge of said panel toward `said hinge transversely thereof to provide a plurality of shelf locking iiaps, said locking panels and their integral locking flaps being folded interiorly of said carton and overlying the shelf llaps, the shelves being accommodated in said notches of said locking flaps.

7. A shelved carton according to claim 6, wherein the forward edges of the shelves terminate inwardly of the forward edges of the carton walls, whereby the base portions of the locking panels taper outwardly from the edges of the shelf ilaps` topresent guide surfaces to a tray or drawer adapted to be slid onto a shelf.

8. In a carton having shelves and trays adapted to ride thereon, catch means to prevent complete removal of each tray from its associated shelf comprising, a spring member mounted on the underside of said tray at the rear portion thereof and having a forwardly extending and downwardly inclined toe portion, said toe portion being urged upwardly against the underside of said tray between said tray and said associated shelf by the weight of said tray and being adapted to cooperate with a recess provided adjacent the forward edge of said associated shelf in longitudinal alignment with said spring toe, whereby when said tray is withdrawn along said associated shelf tot a preselected maximum position, said spring toe will register with said recess to spring downwardly and engage the forward edge of said recess and wherein the shelf is comprised of an integral sheet of paper-board material of substantially rectangular conguration transversely score lined centrally lengthwise thereof to provide two panels folded together about said score line, said fold defining the forward edge of said shelf, one of said panels being provided with a U-shaped cut adjacent said score line, said cut defining a tab which is folded downwardly and forwardly into underlying relation to said one panel and being thus secured between said panels to provide the said recess and reinforce the forward edge of said recess which is engaged by the spring toe.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 930,835 Brown Aug. 10, 1909 2,450,419 Cassidy et al. Oct. 5, 1948 2,550,980 Drake May 1, 1951 2,765,208 Bush Oct. 2, 1956 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent Noe 2,904,382 September l5, 1959 Frenk P., Mitten It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should readA as corrected below.

Signed and sealed this 8th day of March 1960,

SEAL) Attest:

KARL H., AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Attesting Ocer Commissioner of Patents 

